Welcome to the First Column IT Tech Blog

HomeBlog
Don’t Let Tech Troubles Bring You Summertime Blues

Don’t Let Tech Troubles Bring You Summertime Blues

June 14, 2024

With the summer months comes the promise of fun… why would you want to stress about your technology during that time? To help prevent this, we’ve put together some tricks to protect your devices… both from cybersecurity issues and from the weather.

How to Protect Your Devices Throughout Your Travels

Your summer plans are too important to leave in the hands of cybercriminals. Here are a few ways you can keep your devices safer:

Update Before You Leave

Installing any software updates minimizes the vulnerabilities that a hacker could take advantage of while also avoiding the possibility of relying on notoriously insecure hotel Wi-Fi or eating up your mobile data.

Speaking of Which, Avoid Public Wi-Fi

It’s a good policy to assume that any public network is a compromised network. If you have the option, avoid it. If you have no choice, only use secure websites (https in the URL), utilize a virtual private network, and never share or transmit anything personal or sensitive.

Backup

Of course, we always recommend backing up data, and this is no exception. Your mobile data all needs to be backed up and synced across another device so you don’t lose your data if the device is lost, stolen, or otherwise damaged.

Use Finding Features

Today’s devices typically come with a tracking feature built in, allowing you to locate any on and Internet-connected device should it be lost or stolen.

How to Keep Your Devices at a Safe Temperature

Hot technology isn’t good, so here are a few tips to help keep your devices cool:

Ventilation is Your Friend

Your devices need to breathe, so ensure they have a few inches of space around them and nothing is blocking their vents. This will allow the heat mitigation systems within the devices to do their job and keep them cooler.

Heat is Not Your Friend

On a related note, you should try to keep your devices out of direct sunlight and, ideally, in the path of a fan or even an A/C. It also helps to keep your devices on lower levels of your home as heat rises.

Keep Your Devices Clean

Debris in your fans, such as dust, dirt, hair, and other detritus, can negatively impact their performance and slow or even stop their functioning. Cleaning them with compressed air will help keep them functioning appropriately. 

Kill the Power

If your device overheats and malfunctions, turn it off and disconnect the power supply. Do not turn it back on until it has cooled down. Refer to the earlier tips to help prevent it from overheating again.

Make sure you keep checking in here for insights and tips!

Previous Post
December 24, 2025
Lessons About Shadow IT, Direct from the North Pole
Shadow IT is a big problem, no matter where it’s being used—even at the most famous toy manufacturer in history’s facility. Consider this a case study of why it is essential to listen to your IT department, especially when it comes to the tools they provide.
December 22, 2025
4 Ways to Change the Way You Think About IT (For the Better)
IT is more than a necessary expense; it’s a tool to get your business into a more advantageous position, one where you can make more money and help more people. The only way you can get to this point, however, is if your IT is yielding a return on your investment; otherwise, it will always feel like a money pit.
December 19, 2025
The Rise of Agentic AI Could Create a Crisis of Authenticity
With the new year just around the corner, you’re probably wondering what the latest cybersecurity threats will have in store for small businesses like yours. One such threat is the rise of agentic AI, which capitalizes on the weakest link in any business’ cybersecurity infrastructure: its human elements. If you already have a hard time figuring out if the person on the other end of the phone line is human, just wait… It’s only going to get worse.

Have a project in mind?

Start with our free consultation. We will provide a detailed proposal and firm quote based on your specific IT support needs. All at a predictable monthly cost per seat.
Free Consultation - Sign Up Here